%0 Journal Article
%T Biotechnological Tools for Environmental Sustainability: Prospects and Challenges for Environments in Nigeria¡ªA Standard Review
%A Chukwuma S. Ezeonu
%A Richard Tagbo
%A Ephraim N. Anike
%A Obinna A. Oje
%A Ikechukwu N. E. Onwurah
%J Biotechnology Research International
%D 2012
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2012/450802
%X The environment is a very important component necessary for the existence of both man and other biotic organisms. The degree of sustainability of the physical environment is an index of the survival and well-being of the entire components in it. Additionally, it is not sufficient to try disposing toxic/deleterious substances with any known method. The best method of sustaining the environment is such that returns back all the components (wastes) in a recyclable way so that the waste becomes useful and helps the biotic and abiotic relationship to maintain an aesthetic and healthy equilibrium that characterizes an ideal environment. In this study, the method investigated includes biological method of environmental sustainability which seeks to investigate the various biotechnological tools (biotools) in current use and those undergoing investigations for future use. 1. Introduction Biotechnological tools are those processes of bioscientific interests that use the chemistry of living organisms through cell manipulation to develop new and alternative methods aimed at cleaner and more effective ways of producing traditional products and at the same time maintain the natural and aesthetic beauty of the environment. Biotechnology is the current trend in production processes across the world, as opposed to the conventional chemical synthesis of products. The reason is due to the fact that biotechnological methods are ecofriendly while the latter method adds pollutants and waste into our environment. A lot of problems associated with conventional methods of pollutant treatment by incineration or landfills have given the impetus on the need for alternative, economical, and reliable biological methods of pollution treatments. Chen et al. [1] enumerated vividly that environmental biotechnology refers to the utilization of microorganisms to improve environmental quality. Although the field of environmental biotechnology has been around for decades, starting with the activated sludge and anaerobic digestion in the early 20th century, the introduction of new technologies from modern microbiology and molecular biology has enabled engineers and scientists to tackle the more contemporary environment problems such as detoxification of hazardous wastes through the use of living organisms. As the earth¡¯s human population has increased, natural ecosystems have declined and changes in the balance of natural cycles have had a negative impact on both humans and other living systems. Thus, there is abundant scientific evidence that humanity is living unsustainably, and returning
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/btri/2012/450802/